Reconciliation Expo 10:30am – 3:00pm | September 24, 2017

Reconciliation Expo

10:30am – 3:00pm | September 24, 2017

Strathcona Park, Vancouver

Keynote Speaker

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde

National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Perry Bellegarde

Perry Bellegarde was elected as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) on December 10, 2014 after a career spent making measurable progress on the issues that matter most to First Nations people. First elected as Councillor and then Chief of Little Black Bear First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory, he also served as Tribal Chair of the Touchwood-File Hills-Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, and as Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and Saskatchewan Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

National Chief Bellegarde is a strong advocate for the implementation of Inherent Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. He has made presentations at the national and international levels in many forums, including the United Nations Committee for Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and various United Nations bodies on the subject of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In 1984, Perry Bellegarde became the first Treaty Indian to graduate from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Administration. In 2012, he completed Certified Corporate Board Training through The Directors College sponsored by the Conference Board of Canada and McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. National Chief Bellegarde is the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal (2012), Saskatchewan Medal (2005), Queen’s Jubilee Medal (2002) and Confederation Medal (1992). He has been honoured by several Chiefs and Elders who have acknowledged him as their adopted son, and he honours them by carrying their teachings forward as he works toward the implementation of Inherent, Aboriginal and Treaty rights, self-determination and a shared vision for a more just and inclusive Canada.

Other Speakers:

Chief Robert Joseph: Embassador, Reconciliation Canada

Councillor Chris Lewis: Councillor and Spokesperson – Squamish Nation

Chief Ian Campbell: Councillor and Spokesperson – Squamish Nation

Councillor Liana Martin: Councillor – Tsleil-Waututh Nation

Chief Wayne Sparrow: Chief – Musqueam Nation

Karen Joseph: CEO, Reconciliation Canada

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould: Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

The Honourable John Horgan: Premier of British Columbia

The Honourable Scott Fraser: Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation